Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving selected interlace acknowledgement messages in wireless communication systems

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method of acknowledging transition to SelectedInterlacesOff state in a wireless communication system are described. A SelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bit MessageID field, a 12 bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to the PilotPN of the sector to which the message is directed, an 1 bit SelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabled field is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to “0” otherwise and a 3 bit Reserved field wherein the Reserved field is of such length so that the entire message is octet-aligned and is set to “0” is generated and transmitted over a communication link.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. § 119

The present application for patent claims priority to ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/731,126 entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FORPROVIDING MOBILE BROADBAND WIRELESS LOWER MAC”, filed Oct. 27, 2005,assigned to the assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, andmore particularly to methods and apparatus for transmitting andreceiving selected interlace acknowledgment messages.

2. Background

Wireless communication systems have become a prevalent means by which amajority of people worldwide have come to communicate. Wirelesscommunication devices have become smaller and more powerful in order tomeet consumer needs and to improve portability and convenience. Theincrease in processing power in mobile devices such as cellulartelephones has lead to an increase in demands on wireless networktransmission systems. Such systems typically are not as easily updatedas the cellular devices that communicate there over. As mobile devicecapabilities expand, it can be difficult to maintain an older wirelessnetwork system in a manner that facilitates fully exploiting new andimproved wireless device capabilities.

Wireless communication systems generally utilize different approaches togenerate transmission resources in the form of channels. These systemsmay be code division multiplexing (CDM) systems, frequency divisionmultiplexing (FDM) systems, and time division multiplexing (TDM)systems. One commonly utilized variant of FDM is orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexing (OFDM) that effectively partitions the overallsystem bandwidth into multiple orthogonal subcarriers. These subcarriersmay also be referred to as tones, bins, and frequency channels. Eachsubcarrier can be modulated with data. With time division basedtechniques, each subcarrier can comprise a portion of sequential timeslices or time slots. Each user may be provided with a one or more timeslot and subcarrier combinations for transmitting and receivinginformation in a defined burst period or frame. The hopping schemes maygenerally be a symbol rate hopping scheme or a block hopping scheme.

Code division based techniques typically transmit data over a number offrequencies available at any time in a range. In general, data isdigitized and spread over available bandwidth, wherein multiple userscan be overlaid on the channel and respective users can be assigned aunique sequence code. Users can transmit in the same wide-band chunk ofspectrum, wherein each user's signal is spread over the entire bandwidthby its respective unique spreading code. This technique can provide forsharing, wherein one or more users can concurrently transmit andreceive. Such sharing can be achieved through spread spectrum digitalmodulation, wherein a user's stream of bits is encoded and spread acrossa very wide channel in a pseudo-random fashion. The receiver is designedto recognize the associated unique sequence code and undo therandomization in order to collect the bits for a particular user in acoherent manner.

A typical wireless communication network (e.g., employing frequency,time, and/or code division techniques) includes one or more basestations that provide a coverage area and one or more mobile (e.g.,wireless) terminals that can transmit and receive data within thecoverage area. A typical base station can simultaneously transmitmultiple data streams for broadcast, multicast, and/or unicast services,wherein a data stream is a stream of data that can be of independentreception interest to a mobile terminal. A mobile terminal within thecoverage area of that base station can be interested in receiving one,more than one or all the data streams transmitted from the base station.Likewise, a mobile terminal can transmit data to the base station oranother mobile terminal. In these systems the bandwidth and other systemresources are assigned utilizing a scheduler.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects inorder to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary isnot an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intendedto neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nordelineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is topresent some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The signals, signal formats, signal exchanges, methods, processes, andtechniques disclosed herein provide several advantages over knownapproaches. These include, for example, reduced signaling overhead,improved system throughput, increased signaling flexibility, reducedinformation processing, reduced transmission bandwidth, reduced bitprocessing, increased robustness, improved efficiency, and reducedtransmission power.

According to an embodiment, a method is provided for acknowledgingtransition to SelectedInterlacesOff state in a wireless communicationsystem, the method comprising generating a SelectedInterlaceAck messagecomprising an 8 bit MessageID field, a 12 bit PilotPN field wherein thePilotPN field is set to the PilotPN of the sector to which the messageis directed, an 1 bit SelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein theSelectedInterlaceEnabled field is set to “1” to indicate selectedinterlace: mode enabled and to “0” otherwise and a 3 bit Reserved fieldwherein the Reserved field is of such length so that the entire messageis octet-aligned and is set to “0” and transmitting theSelectedInterlaceAck message over a communication link.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus operable in a wirelesscommunication system is described which includes means for generating aSelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bit MessageID field, a 12bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to the PilotPN of thesector to which the message is directed, an 1 bitSelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabledfield is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to“0” otherwise and a 3 bit Reserved field wherein the Reserved field isof such length so that the entire message is octet-aligned and is set to“0” and transmitting the SelectedInterlaceAck message over acommunication link.

According to yet another embodiment, a computer readable medium isdescribed having a first set of instructions for generating aSelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bit MessageID field, a 12bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to the PilotPN of thesector to which the message is directed, an 1 bitSelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabledfield is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to“0” otherwise and a 3 bit Reserved field wherein the Reserved field isof such length so that the entire message is octet-aligned and is set to“0” and a second set of instructions for transmitting theSelectedInterlaceAck message over a communication link.

According to yet another embodiment, a computer readable medium isdescribed having a first set of instructions for receiving aSelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bit MessageID field, a 12bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to the PilotPN of thesector to which the message is directed, an 1 bitSelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabledfield is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to“0” otherwise and a 3 bit Reserved field wherein the Reserved field isof such length so that the entire message is octet-aligned and is set to“0” and a second set of instructions for processing theSelectedInterlaceAck message over a communication link.

According to yet another embodiment, a method is provided for receivinginformation in a wireless communication system, the method comprisingreceiving a SelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bit MessageIDfield, a 12 bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to thePilotPN of the sector to which the message is directed, an 1 bitSelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabledfield is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to“0” otherwise and a 3 bit Reserved field, wherein the Reserved field isof such length so that the entire message is octet-aligned and is set to“0” and processing the SelectedInterlaceAck message over a communicationlink.

According to yet another embodiment, an apparatus operable in a wirelesscommunication system is described which includes means for receiving aSelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bit MessageID field, a 12bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to the PilotPN of thesector to which the message is directed, an 1 bitSelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabledfield is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to“0” otherwise and a 3 bit Reserved field wherein the Reserved field isof such length so that the entire message is octet-aligned and is set to“0” and means for processing the SelectedInterlaceAck message.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or moreaspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims. The following description andthe annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects ofthe one or more aspects. These aspects are indicative, however, of but afew of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects maybe employed and the described aspects are intended to include all suchaspects and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates embodiments of a multiple access wirelesscommunication system.

FIG. 2 illustrates embodiments of a transmitter and receiver in amultiple access wireless communication system.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate embodiments of superframe structures for amultiple access wireless communication system.

FIG. 4 illustrate embodiment of a communication between an accessterminal and an access network.

FIG. 5A illustrates a flow diagram of a process used by access terminal.

FIG. 5B illustrates one or more processors configured for acknowledgingtransition to SelectedInterlacesOff state in a wireless communicationsystem.

FIG. 6A illustrates a flow diagram of a process used by access network.

FIG. 6B illustrates one or more processors configured for receivinginformation in a wireless communication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings,wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elementsthroughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident, however,that such embodiment(s) may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, a multiple access wireless communication systemaccording to one embodiment is illustrated. A multiple access wirelesscommunication system 100 includes multiple cells, e.g. cells 102, 104,and 106. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, each cell 102, 104, and 106 mayinclude an access point 150 that includes multiple sectors. The multiplesectors are formed by groups of antennas each responsible forcommunication with access terminals in a portion of the cell. In cell102, antenna groups 112, 114, and 116 each correspond to a differentsector. In cell 104, antenna groups 118, 120, and 122 each correspond toa different sector. In cell 106, antenna groups 124, 126, and 128 eachcorrespond to a different sector.

Each cell includes several access terminals which are in communicationwith one or more sectors of each access point. For example, accessterminals 130 and 132 are in communication base 142, access terminals134 and 136 are in communication with access point 144, and accessterminals 138 and 140 are in communication with access point 146.

Controller 130 is coupled to each of the cells 102, 104, and 106.Controller 130 may contain one or more connections to multiple networks,e.g. the Internet, other packet based networks, or circuit switchedvoice networks that provide information to, and from, the accessterminals in communication with the cells of the multiple accesswireless communication system 100. The controller 130 includes, or iscoupled with, a scheduler that schedules transmission from and to accessterminals. In other embodiments, the scheduler may reside in eachindividual cell, each sector of a cell, or a combination thereof.

As used herein, an access point may be a fixed station used forcommunicating with the terminals and may also be referred to as, andinclude some or all the functionality of, a base station, a Node B, orsome other terminology. An access terminal may also be referred to as,and include some or all the functionality of, a user equipment (UE), awireless communication device, terminal, a mobile station or some otherterminology.

It should be noted that while FIG. 1, depicts physical sectors, i.e.having different antenna groups for different sectors, other approachesmay be utilized. For example, utilizing multiple fixed “beams” that eachcover different areas of the cell in frequency space may be utilized inlieu of, or in combination with physical sectors. Such an approach isdepicted and disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/260,895, entitled “Adaptive Sectorization In Cellular System.”

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of an embodiment of a transmittersystem 210 and a receiver system 250 in a MIMO system 200 isillustrated. At transmitter system 210, traffic data for a number ofdata streams is provided from a data source 212 to transmit (TX) dataprocessor 214. In an embodiment, each data stream is transmitted over arespective transmit antenna. TX data processor 214 formats, codes, andinterleaves the traffic data for each data stream based on a particularcoding scheme selected for that data stream to provide coded data.

The coded data for each data stream may be multiplexed with pilot datausing OFDM, or other orthogonalization or non-orthogonalizationtechniques. The pilot data is typically a known data pattern that isprocessed in a known manner and may be used at the receiver system toestimate the channel response. The multiplexed pilot and coded data foreach data stream is then modulated (i.e., symbol mapped) based on one ormore particular modulation schemes (e.g., BPSK, QSPK, M-PSK, or M-QAM)selected for that data stream to provide modulation symbols. The datarate, coding, and modulation for each data stream may be determined byinstructions performed on provided by processor 230.

The modulation symbols for all data streams are then provided to a TXprocessor 220, which may further process the modulation symbols (e.g.,for OFDM). TX processor 220 then provides N_(T) modulation symbolstreams to N_(T) transmitters. (TMTR) 222 a through 222 t. Eachtransmitter 222 receives and processes a respective symbol stream toprovide one or more analog signals, and further conditions (e.g.,amplifies, filters, and upconverts) the analog signals to provide amodulated signal suitable for transmission over the MIMO channel. N_(T)modulated signals from transmitters 222 a through 222 t are thentransmitted from N_(T) antennas 224 a through 224 t, respectively.

At receiver system 250, the transmitted modulated signals are receivedby N_(R) antennas 252 a through 252 r and the received signal from eachantenna 252 is provided to a respective receiver (RCVR) 254. Eachreceiver 254 conditions (e.g., filters, amplifies, and downconverts) arespective received signal, digitizes the conditioned signal to providesamples, and further processes the samples to provide a corresponding“received” symbol stream.

An RX data processor 260 then receives and processes the N_(R) receivedsymbol streams from N_(R) receivers 254 based on a particular receiverprocessing technique to provide N_(T) “detected” symbol streams. Theprocessing by RX data processor 260 is described in further detailbelow. Each detected symbol stream includes symbols that are estimatesof the modulation symbols transmitted for the corresponding data stream.RX data processor 260 then demodulates, deinterleaves, and decodes eachdetected symbol stream to recover the traffic data for the data stream.The processing by RX data processor 218 is complementary to thatperformed by TX processor 220 and TX data processor 214 at transmittersystem 210.

RX data processor 260 may be limited in the number of subcarriers thatit may simultaneously demodulate, e.g. 512 subcarriers or 5 MHz, andsuch a receiver should be scheduled on a single carrier. This limitationmay be a function of its FFT range, e.g. sample rates at which theprocessor 260 may operate, the memory available for FFT, or otherfunctions available for demodulation. Further, the greater the number ofsubcarriers utilized, the greater the expense of the access terminal.

The channel response estimate generated by RX processor 260 may be usedto perform space, space/time processing at the receiver, adjust powerlevels, change modulation rates or schemes, or other actions. RXprocessor 260 may further estimate the signal-to-noise-and-interferenceratios (SNRs) of the detected symbol streams, and possibly other channelcharacteristics, and provides these quantities to a processor 270. RXdata processor 260 or processor 270 may further derive an estimate ofthe “operating” SNR for the system. Processor 270 then provides channelstate information (CSI), which may comprise various types of informationregarding the communication link and/or the received data stream. Forexample, the CSI may comprise only the operating SNR. In otherembodiments, the CSI may comprise a channel quality indicator (CQI),which may be a numerical value indicative of one or more channelconditions. The CSI is then processed by a TX data processor 278,modulated by a modulator 280, conditioned by transmitters 254 a through254 r, and transmitted back to transmitter system 210.

At transmitter system 210, the modulated signals from receiver system250 are received by antennas 224, conditioned by receivers 222,demodulated by a demodulator 240, and processed by a RX data processor242 to recover the CSI reported by the receiver system. The reported CSIis then provided to processor 230 and used to (1) determine the datarates and coding and modulation schemes to be used for the data streamsand (2) generate various controls for TX data processor 214 and TXprocessor 220. Alternatively, the CSI may be utilized by processor 270to determine modulation schemes and/or coding rates for transmission,along with other information. This may then be provided to thetransmitter which uses this information, which may be quantized, toprovide later transmissions to the receiver.

Processors 230 and 270 direct the operation at the transmitter andreceiver systems, respectively. Memories 232 and 272 provide storage forprogram codes and data used by processors 230 and 270, respectively.

At the receiver, various processing techniques may be used to processthe N_(R) received signals to detect the N_(T) transmitted symbolstreams. These receiver processing techniques may be grouped into twoprimary categories (i) spatial and space-time receiver processingtechniques (which are also referred to as equalization techniques); and(ii) “successive nulling/equalization and interference cancellation”receiver processing technique (which is also referred to as “successiveinterference cancellation” or “successive cancellation” receiverprocessing technique).

While FIG. 2 discusses a MIMO system, the same system may be applied toa multi-input single-output system where multiple transmit antennas,e.g. those on a base station, transmit one or more symbol streams to asingle antenna device, e.g. a mobile station. Also, a single output tosingle input antenna system may be utilized in the same manner asdescribed with respect to FIG. 2.

The transmission techniques described herein may be implemented byvarious means. For example, these techniques may be implemented inhardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. For a hardwareimplementation, the processing units at a transmitter may be implementedwithin one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs),digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices(DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gatearrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers,microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed toperform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof. Theprocessing units at a receiver may also be implemented within one ormore ASICs, DSPs, processors, and so on.

For a software implementation, the transmission techniques may beimplemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) thatperform the functions described herein. The software codes may be storedin a memory (e.g., memory 230, 272 x or 272 y in FIG. 2) and executed bya processor (e.g., processor 232, 270 x or 270 y). The memory may beimplemented within the processor or external to the processor.

It should be noted that the concept of channels herein refers toinformation or transmission types that may be transmitted by the accesspoint or access terminal. It does not require or utilize fixed orpredetermined blocks of subcarriers, time periods, or other resourcesdedicated to such transmissions.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, embodiments of superframe structures for amultiple access wireless communication system are illustrated. FIG. 3Aillustrates embodiments of superframe structures for a frequencydivision duplexed (FDD) multiple access wireless communication system,while FIG. 3B illustrates embodiments of superframe structures for atime division duplexed (TDD) multiple access wireless communicationsystem. The superframe preamble may be transmitted separately for eachcarrier or may span all of the carriers of the sector.

In both FIGS. 3A and 3B, the forward link transmission is divided intounits of superframes. A superframe may consist of a superframe preamblefollowed by a series of frames. In an FDD system, the reverse link andthe forward link transmission may occupy different frequency bandwidthsso that transmissions on the links do not, or for the most part do not,overlap on any frequency subcarriers. In a TDD system, N forward linkframes and M reverse link frames define the number of sequential forwardlink and reverse link frames that may be continuously transmitted priorto allowing transmission of the opposite type of frame. It should benoted that the number of N and M may be vary within a given superframeor between superframes.

In both FDD and TDD systems each superframe may comprise a superframepreamble. In certain embodiments, the superframe preamble includes apilot channel that includes pilots that may be used for channelestimation by access terminals, a broadcast channel that includesconfiguration information that the access terminal may utilize todemodulate the information contained in the forward link frame. Furtheracquisition information such as timing and other information sufficientfor an access terminal to communicate on one of the carriers and basicpower control or offset information may also be included in thesuperframe preamble. In other cases, only some of the above and/or otherinformation may be included in this superframe preamble.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the superframe preamble is followed by asequence of frames. Each frame may consist of a same or a differentnumber of OFDM symbols, which may constitute a number of subcarriersthat may simultaneously utilized for transmission over some definedperiod. Further, each frame may operate according to a symbol ratehopping mode, where one or more non-contiguous OFDM symbols are assignedto a user on a forward link or reverse link, or a block hopping mode,where users hop within a block of OFDM symbols. The actual blocks orOFDM symbols may or may not hop between frames.

FIG. 4 illustrates communication between an access terminal 402 and anaccess network 404 according to an embodiment. Using a communicationlink 406 and based upon predetermined timing, system conditions, orother decision criteria, the access terminal 402 will send aSelectedInterlaceAck message to the access network 404 to acknowledgetransition to a SelectedInterlacesOff state. The communication link maybe implemented using communication protocols/standards such as WorldInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), infrared protocols suchas Infrared Data Association (IrDA), short-range wirelessprotocols/technologies, Bluetooth® technology, ZigBee® protocol, ultrawide band (UWB) protocol, home radio frequency (HomeRF), shared wirelessaccess protocol (SWAP), wideband technology such as a wireless Ethernetcompatibility alliance (WECA), wireless fidelity alliance (Wi-FiAlliance), 802.11 network technology, public switched telephone networktechnology, public heterogeneous communications network technology suchas the Internet, private wireless communications network, land mobileradio network, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband codedivision multiple access (WCDMA), universal mobile telecommunicationssystem (UMTS), advanced mobile phone service (AMPS), time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA),orthogonal frequency division multiple (OFDM), orthogonal frequencydivision multiple access (OFDMA), orthogonal frequency division multipleFLASH (OFDM-FLASH), global system for mobile communications (GSM),single carrier (1×) radio transmission technology (RTT), evolution dataonly (EV-DO) technology, general packet radio service (GPRS), enhanceddata GSM environment (EDGE), high speed downlink data packet access(HSPDA), analog and digital satellite systems, and any othertechnologies/protocols that may be used in at least one of a wirelesscommunications network and a data communications network.

The access network 404 is configured to receive SelectedinterlaceAckmessage and the access terminal 402 is configured to transmit aSelectedinterlaceAck message 408 to the access network 404 using thecommunication link 406. The SelectedinterlaceAck message 408 comprises aMessageID field, a PilotPN field, a SelectedInterlaceEnabled field and aReserved field. In an embodiment, 8 bits may be used for MessageIDfield, 12 bits may be used for PilotPN field, 1 bit may be used forSelectedInterlaceEnabled field and 3 bits may be used for Reservedfield. Generally, a message data structure is used to store theSelectedinterlaceAck message 408 in memory, wherein the data structureis limited to use 8 bits to store the MessageID field, 12 bits to storethe PilotPN field, 1 bit to store the SelectedInterlaceEnabled field and3 bits to store the Reserved field.

The access terminal 402 generates the SelectedinterlaceAck message 408by setting the values for MessageID field, PilotPN field,SelectedInterlaceEnabled field and Reserved field. For example, theMessageID field is set to “0x04”, the PilotPN field is set to thePilotPN of the sector to which the message is directed, theSelectedInterlaceEnabled field is set to “1” to indicate selectedinterlace mode enabled and to “0” otherwise and the Reserved field is ofsuch length so that the entire message is octet-aligned and is set to“0”. The access terminal 402 may incorporate the SelectedinterlaceAckmessage 408 into a data packet 410. In another embodiment, theSelectedinterlaceAck message 408 may be transmitted without beingincorporated into a packet. The data packet comprises header informationthat indicates whether that data packet 410 contains theSelectedinterlaceAck message 408. The data packet 410 is transmitted onthe communication link 406 using one or more channels. In an embodiment,the access terminal 402 may use a channel, of the communication link 406to transmit the SelectedinterlaceAck message 408.

The access network 404 is configured to receive data packets on thecommunication link 406, one of which may comprise theSelectedInterlaceAck message 408. Various methods may be used to extractthe SelectedinterlaceAck message 408 from the communication link. Forexample, once the access network 404 has extracted the data packet 410from one of the channels of the communication link, the access network404 may check the header information of the data packet 410 to determineif the data packet 410 comprises the SelectedinterlaceAck message 408.If so, then the access network 404 extracts the designated 8 forMessageID field, 12 bits for PilotPN field, 1 bit forSelectedInterlaceEnabled field and 3 bits for Reserved field and storesthe values in memory 232.

FIG. 5A illustrates a flow diagram of process 500 for acknowledgingtransition to SelectedInterlacesOff state, according to an embodiment.At 502, a SelectedInterlaceAck message is generated comprising an 8 bitMessageID field, a 12 bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is setto the PilotPN of the sector to which the message is directed, an 1 bitSelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabledfield is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to“0” otherwise and a 3 bit Reserved field wherein the Reserved field isof such length so that the entire message is octet-aligned and is set to“0”. At 504, the SelectedInterlaceAck message is transmitted over acommunication link.

FIG. 5B illustrates processor 550 for generating and transmitting aSelectedInterlaceAck message. Processor 552 is configured to generate aSelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bit MessageID field, a 12bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to the PilotPN of thesector to which the message is directed, an 1 bitSelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabledfield is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to“0” otherwise and a 3 bit Reserved field wherein the Reserved field isof such length so that the entire message is octet-aligned and is set to“0”. Processor 554 is configured to transmit the SelectedInterlaceAckmessage over a communication link. The processor referred to may beelectronic devices and may comprise one or more processors configured totransmit the SelectedInterlaceAck message. The functionality of thediscrete processors 552 to 554 depicted in the figure may be combinedinto a single processor 556. A memory 558 is also coupled to theprocessor 556.

In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for generating aSelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bit MessageID field, a 12bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to the PilotPN of thesector to which the message is directed, an 1 bitSelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabledfield is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to“0” otherwise and a 3 bit Reserved field wherein the Reserved field isof such length so that the entire message is octet-aligned and is set to“0”. The apparatus further comprises means for transmittingSelectedInterlaceAck message over a communication link. The meansdescribed herein may comprise one or more processors.

FIG. 6A illustrates a flow diagram of process 600 for receivinginformation in a wireless communication system. At 602, aSelectedInterlaceAck message is received comprising an 8 bit MessageIDfield, a 12 bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to thePilotPN of the sector to which the message is directed, an 1 bitSelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabledfield is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to“0” otherwise and a 3 bit Reserved field wherein the Reserved field isof such length so that the entire message is octet-aligned and is set to“0” and at 604, the SelectedInterlaceAck message is processed.

FIG. 6B illustrates processor 650 for receiving and processingSelectedInterlaceAck message. Processor 652 is configured to receive aSelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bit MessageID field, a 12bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to the PilotPN of thesector to which the message is directed, an 1 bitSelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabledfield is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to“0” otherwise and a 3 bit Reserved field wherein the Reserved field isof such length so that the entire message is octet-aligned and is set to“0” and processor 654 is configured to process the SelectedInterlaceAckmessage. The processor referred to may be electronic devices and maycomprise one or more processors configured to receive theSelectedInterlaceAck message. The functionality of the discreteprocessors 652 to 654 depicted in the figure may be combined into asingle processor 656. A memory 658 is also coupled to the processor 656.

In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for receiving aSelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bit MessageID field, a 12bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to the PilotPN of thesector to which the message is directed, an 1 bitSelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabledfield is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to“0” otherwise and a 3 bit Reserved field wherein the Reserved field isof such length so that the entire message is octet-aligned and is set to“0”. The apparatus further comprises means for processing the receivedSelectedInterlaceAck message. The means described herein may compriseone or more processors.

Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software,firmware, middleware, microcode, or any combination thereof. Whenimplemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the programcode or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in amachine readable medium such as a separate storage(s) not shown. Aprocessor may perform the necessary tasks. A code segment may representa procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, asubroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination ofinstructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment maybe coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passingand/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memorycontents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed,forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memorysharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.

Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein maybe applied to other embodiments. Thus, the description is not intendedto be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded thewidest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

1. A method of acknowledging transition to a SelectedInterlacesOff statein a wireless communication system, characterized in that: generating aSelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bit MessageID field, a 12bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to a PilotPN of asector to which the message is directed and an 1 bitSelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabledfield is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to“0” otherwise; and transmitting the SelectedInterlaceAck message over acommunication link.
 2. An apparatus operable in a wireless communicationsystem, characterized in that: means for generating aSelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bit MessageID field, a 12bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field is set to a PilotPN of asector to which the message is directed and an 1 bitSelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabledfield is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to“0” otherwise; and transmitting the SelectedInterlaceAck message over acommunication link.
 3. A computer readable medium including instructionsstored thereon, characterized in that: a first set of instructions forgenerating a SelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bit MessageIDfield, a 12 bit PilotPN field wherein a PilotPN field is set to aPilotPN of the sector to which the message is directed and an 1 bitSelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein the SelectedInterlaceEnabledfield is set to “1” to indicate selected interlace mode enabled and to“0” otherwise; and a second set of instructions for transmitting theSelectedInterlaceAck message over a communication link.
 4. A method ofreceiving information in a wireless communication system, characterizedin that: receiving a SelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8 bitMessageID field, a 12 bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field isinterpreted as a PilotPN of a sector to which the message is directedand an 1 bit SelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein theSelectedInterlaceEnabled field is interpreted as “1” to indicateselected interlace mode enabled and to “0” otherwise; and processing theSelectedInterlaceAck message.
 5. A computer readable medium includinginstructions stored thereon, characterized in that: a first set ofinstructions for receiving a SelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an8 bit MessageID field, a 12 bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN fieldis interpreted as a PilotPN of a sector to which the message is directedand an 1 bit SelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein theSelectedInterlaceEnabled field is interpreted as “1” to indicateselected interlace mode enabled and to “0” otherwise; and a second setof instructions for processing the SelectedInterlaceAck message.
 6. Anapparatus operable in a wireless communication system, characterized inthat: means for receiving a SelectedInterlaceAck message comprising an 8bit MessageID field, a 12 bit PilotPN field wherein the PilotPN field isinterpreted as a PilotPN of a sector to which the message is directedand an 1 bit SelectedInterlaceEnabled field wherein theSelectedInterlaceEnabled field is interpreted as “1” to indicateselected interlace mode enabled and to “0” otherwise; and means forprocessing the SelectedInterlaceAck message.